In this chapter we argue that, because of its unique physical qualities and its importance to life and the environment, water is what Gerard Winstanley in 1649 would have characterised as a common ...
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In this chapter we argue that, because of its unique physical qualities and its importance to life and the environment, water is what Gerard Winstanley in 1649 would have characterised as a common treasury – a resource to be used in common by all. We examine the notion of water as a common treasury, and the implications that this characterisation of water has for property rights in water. We argue that a property rights system centred on neoliberal conceptions of absolute private ownership, allowing private dominion over water and its commodification, is inappropriate for water and subverts its role as a common treasury. To enable water to function effectively as a common treasury, we argue, a more appropriate property model is one that emphasises and facilitates collaboration and cooperation rather than competition – in other words, a property rights system which acknowledges and promotes communal property in its many forms.Less

Water: A Common Treasury

Rosalind MalcolmAlison Clarke

Published in print: 2018-10-04

In this chapter we argue that, because of its unique physical qualities and its importance to life and the environment, water is what Gerard Winstanley in 1649 would have characterised as a common treasury – a resource to be used in common by all. We examine the notion of water as a common treasury, and the implications that this characterisation of water has for property rights in water. We argue that a property rights system centred on neoliberal conceptions of absolute private ownership, allowing private dominion over water and its commodification, is inappropriate for water and subverts its role as a common treasury. To enable water to function effectively as a common treasury, we argue, a more appropriate property model is one that emphasises and facilitates collaboration and cooperation rather than competition – in other words, a property rights system which acknowledges and promotes communal property in its many forms.

This chapter begins with a discussion of institutional leadership in the implementation of the water framework directive (WFD). Many central and eastern European member states have assigned the ...
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This chapter begins with a discussion of institutional leadership in the implementation of the water framework directive (WFD). Many central and eastern European member states have assigned the implementation of the WFD to their ministries of environment. To address cross-sector coordination, most countries have established interministerial committees comprised of ministries that have to work together to effectuate implementation. Four models for managing water resources are then considered: the concurrent jurisdiction model, river basin model, soft coordination model, and structured collaboration model.Less

Models of Water Policy

Elli Louka

Published in print: 2008-09-25

This chapter begins with a discussion of institutional leadership in the implementation of the water framework directive (WFD). Many central and eastern European member states have assigned the implementation of the WFD to their ministries of environment. To address cross-sector coordination, most countries have established interministerial committees comprised of ministries that have to work together to effectuate implementation. Four models for managing water resources are then considered: the concurrent jurisdiction model, river basin model, soft coordination model, and structured collaboration model.